Singaporean para-athlete Jovin Tan secured a silver medal in boccia at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, marking his return to the continental competition for the first time since 2014. Tan, ranked sixth globally, added to his medal tally across multiple sports in the Asian Para Games by claiming silver in the men’s individual BC1 event on October 21 at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium’s Rainbow Hall.

Tan, who initially competed as a para-sailor, transitioned to boccia in 2022 after sailing was removed from the Paralympic programme post-2016. He previously won a gold medal in sailing at the 2014 Games in Incheon alongside Yap Qian Yin. His recent silver came after a strong showing in the group stages, where he topped Pool C with two wins. He advanced to the final by defeating Hong Kong’s Chan Kam Chau 4-2 in the quarter-finals and overcoming compatriot John Loung 6-2 in the semi-finals. In the final, Tan faced Thailand’s two-time defending champion Witsanu Huadpradit, ultimately falling 4-1 despite a brief rally in the third end.

Reflecting on his performance, Tan emphasized a focus on enjoying the competition and maintaining composure rather than setting specific medal targets. He highlighted the experience of competing against top players like Witsanu Huadpradit as motivation for further development. At 40 years old and living with cerebral palsy, Tan aims to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, citing the Asian Para Games as a benchmark for his progress.

Tan was not the only Singaporean to medal in boccia on October 21. Aloysius Gan, ranked eighth in the world, secured a silver in the men’s individual BC3 category after a narrow 4-3 loss to Thailand’s Withun Chanthakhat. Gan’s podium finish marked an improvement over his debut at the Games in Hangzhou in 2023, where he placed fourth. His mother, Eve Cher, praised his determination and progress following the achievement. Gan will also compete in the mixed pairs BC3 event alongside Nurulasyiqah Taha, with the pair having recently won gold at the World Boccia Championships. Jeralyn Tan, a silver medallist from the 2024 Paris Paralympics, earned bronze in the women’s individual BC1, defeating Iran’s Neda Ghayebi 6-1.

Beyond boccia, other Singaporean athletes added to the medal count at the Games. Para-cyclist Amelia Tan, making her Asian Para Games debut at 32, claimed bronze in the women’s B time trial with a time of 34 minutes, 31.92 seconds at the Cycle Sports Center in Izu. In swimming, 28-year-old Toh Wei Soong secured his third bronze medal in Japan after finishing third in the men’s 50m butterfly S7 final, clocking 31.83 seconds. He also took bronze in the 400m freestyle S7 and 100m freestyle S7 events, and he is set to compete next in the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle events. Fellow swimmer Sophie Soon placed sixth in the women’s 100m backstroke S13 event.

Singapore’s haul on October 21 included two silver and three bronze medals, contributing to the contingent’s overall performance at the Games. The nation has now earned four boccia medals in total at the Asian Para Games, continuing its steady progress in para sports on the continental stage.